CM-302 Missile:
Reports are emerging that Iran is close to finalizing a deal with China to buy CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles.
- It is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by China.
- It is an export version of the YJ-12 missile used by the Chinese Navy.
- It is intended to strike large naval vessels and other maritime targets.
- It is equipped with a liquid direct-flow air-breathing jet engine and four air intakes.
- The missile travels at sustained supersonic speeds, reportedly around Mach 2.5–3 or higher, making it very hard and challenging to intercept once launched.
- It has a range of about 290 km.
- It is equipped with a conventional high-explosive warhead.
- It can be launched from both ships and ground-based launchers.
- The CM-302 approaches its target at extremely low altitudes.
- The guidance system of the missile combines inertial navigation with China’s BeiDou satellite navigation for mid-course guidance, along with an active radar seeker for terminal homing.
- It has a high hit probability, nearly 90 percent, owing to its sea-skimming flight profile and advanced guidance suite.
